Brake control compatibility with exhaust brake

[BlackButte]

Which type brake control is best for a 2007 Dodge 3500 dually 4X4 5.9 CTD 48RE auto tranny with BD inline exhaust brake and air bags. We are looking at 5th wheels with Trailair king pin and disk brakes. I've read a little on each type of brake control but can't find anything about how they work/don't work with exhaust brakes. Not sure if it makes a diff but I'm leaning toward the BW Companion hitch. Thanks.

[ve7prt]

Mkirsch nailed it on the head. However, if you wanted the controller to activate when the exhaust brake came on, you could run a wire between the EB and the controller's brake light wire such that when the EB comes on it activates the controller. That might also have the benefit of lighting up the brake lights, since EB's don't activate those either.

Regards,
Mike

[mkirsch]

Everything you've been told so far is true, and goes together.

You want a momentum/accelerometer based brake controller.

The controller does not activate from the exhaust brake. It gets the signal to activate from the brake light switch attached to the brake pedal. When you push the brake pedal, it starts sensing the deceleration and applies the brakes proportionately.

The Tekonsha Prodigy controllers, either P2 or P3, are excellent accelerometer based brake controllers. I've had a P2 for 9 years now. Never felt the need to upgrade.

Imagine if the brake controller started applying the trailer brakes any time you decelerated... They'd be burned up on the first trip!

[hammer21661]

prodigy p3,electric over hydraulic compatible, don't know if your trailer is but if it were you could use it.

[BlackButte]

Thanks for the reply!

[Old-Biscuit]

Brake controller for trailer will have no affect on how exhaust brake functions.

Exhaust brake is activated by throttle pedal........let off on throttle/exhaust brake closes---push on throttle/exhaust brake opens

When you push on truck brake pedal---trailer brakes activate via brake controller
When you let off truck brake pedal---trailer brakes release via brake controller

Even if exhaust brake is still activated.
Exhaust brake helps decelerate truck/trailer combo without using brakes....so that you have nice cool brakes when you need to really decelerate.

B&W Companion Hitch.......great hitch
And Disc Brakes on trailer....another plus (+++++)

Prodigy Brake Controller......good to go!

[KD4UPL]

You want a momentum based controller regardless of anything else. Timer based controllers are inferior in many ways.
The momentum controller doesn't care what is slowing your truck: brakes, exhaust brake, downshifting, etc. It just knows it's slowing and how fast it's decelerating. It will then apply your trailer brakes accordingly. Prodigy seems to be a favorite for many. I have the Tekonsha Primus and am quite happy with it.